Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1887-03-18

OF the House, 800, is too large both for
convenience and for efficiency in trans
acting business. Motions have already
been made to remove the desks and seat
the members, as in the English Parlia
ment, on benches. If at the next appor-
tlonme nt, which follows the census taken
three years hence, the number of re-
presentarlves Is increased, Congress viii be
obliged either to enlarge the present
chamber of the house or huddle the mem
bers together on benches. Mr.. Cox is
inclined to think that there will be need
ed IN the Congress that follows that cen
sus the highest qualities of prudence and
craftsmanship, in order to prepare an
apportlonment bill that will stand the
least chance of becoming a law. One
thing Is certain If the present ratio is re-
tanned the house will number between 400
and 500 members; while on the other
hand, if the number whieh makes the
basis Is increased many of the older
States will lose representatives; so only
one or two will be allotted any increased
number while the States in the Mississip-
pl valley will in any event have greatly
increased representation. 1t is estimat-
ed that the population in 1890 will be be-
tween sixty-fve and sixty-eight millions,
a greater number than any republic ever
had, greater number than any limited
or constitutional monarchy now has. AT
least 20 per cent of this increase will be
found beyond the Mississippi, and 30
per cent, of it beyond the Alleghanies.
If then, it be decided that no Stateis to
lose its present number of representatives.,
the number of members in the next House
will be $50 approximately. New York,
Massachusetts and Pennsylvania would
gain-New York two probably, the other
two States one possibly; but it is proba-
BILE that not another State east of the AL
leghanies, with the possible exception of
Georgia, would gain single one of
THE 125 NEW MEMBERS.
Nor would there be any great gains in
any of the States east of the Mississippi.
1t is probable that from 80 to 100 of these
new members would be apportioned to
the great States west of the Mississippi
Texas would press New York very hard as
the State having the largest representa-
ton. Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa
Minnesota and Dakota, if Admitted,
would gain an increased representation
of from 40 to 60 per cent, and Oregon
California and Washington, if it is ad-
mitted, would rival many of the older
States in the number of their representa-
tives.
But it will be difficult to indGce any
congress to pass an superintendent bill
fixing the number of new members at a
larger figure than $50. Should that NUN
Der be selected, it would fix the ratio of
presentation approximated at one for
each $4,000 of population. This would
certainly very greatly reduce the repre-
sentation of the older States, and, if the
number of members be kept at the pres
ent figure (325), New Hampshire, Yer
MOTT, Rhode Island, Florida and Nevada
would be represented by only one member
each; Maine, Connecticut Maryland by
three; and it is doubtful if a single State
east of the Aughanies would gain a mem.
Der. Since the census of 1910 the States
on the Atlantic slope have steadily lost
New York once had forty-two members
Massachusetts eighteen, Virginia twenty
Maine seven, Connecticut five; but though
the population of none of these States has
| decreased, and the total population i:
more than twice as great as it was in lS4O
and the number of members of the House
more than four times as many as were IL
the first Congress, yet since 1910 ever!
State on the Atlantic slope has lost repre-
sentation. And though by the year 1906
our population will not be far from 90,
900, 600, these States must either submit
| to more losses or else the House of Repre-
sentatives must be constituted the larges
legislative body IN history. That thu
body is too large now is evident from The
! fact that the senate much more thorough
l,ra nd int oil tlu rs work
House. Texas, California. Kansas, proba
bly,, Nebraska and Iowa will before many
years send larger representation thar
New York, and at the rate of increase nov
going on in Texas that State promises
before long to send doable the number o.
the next most populous State. When oul
population reaches two or three hundred
millions it will be seen that the House
must either be constituted an absurdiy
exaggerated body, or else many of the
States must be representated by members
ludicrously small in comparison with thos'
sent by other States.
Mr.. Cox, who has given this matter very
great consideration, sees IN 1t the manac
ing danger to the Senate by and by, vii
Texas, with fifty representatives IN the
House, consent always to see their worn
neutralized by two men from Rhode lslanC
or Delaware i'll the Senate? Already II
many parts of theWest there is heard often
expressed dissatisfaction with the equa
powers of the little States in the Senate
When the great States of the Mississippi
valley and pacific slope secure more thar
two thirds of the representatives. IN the
House, will it be so very hard to pass the
constitutional amendment that so many
Western members even now would be GLAD
to see adopted, changing completely the
character of the Senate?